Economic Development

• After the Trail of Tears ended, the Cherokee Nation soon began to rebuild itself in its new homeland, developing schools, colleges, churches, businesses and the first newspaper in Indian Territory.

• The years between the removal and the 1860s were called the "Cherokee Golden Age”, a period of prosperity for the tribe.

• 1990 -
  
• The Cherokee Nation Entertainment began operating as a Cherokee Bingo Outpost in Roland, Okla., with 83 employees.
  
• Later the property would become Cherokee Casino Roland and two more casinos in Tulsa and West Siloam Springs would follow.
  
• By 2006, they had a total of 7 casinos in Cherokee communities.

• The Cherokee Nation now operates several successful business enterprises, encompassing multiple industries, including aerospace manufacturing, construction, environmental services and professional services.

• 2009 - The CNE is the retail, gaming, entertainment, hospitality and cultural tourism entity of the Cherokee Nation. CNE operates:

• 7 casinos in northeastern Oklahoma
• Cherokee Travel Plaza
• 2 Cherokee Outpost convenience stores
• 6 retail tobacco shops
• 4 gift shops
• 2 golf courses
• A horse racing facility
• 3 hotels

• Today –

• CNE’s total revenue has reached $441.2 million and employs more than 3,400 people throughout northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas.

• For the past two years, CNE has been voted the number one company to work for in Oklahoma by Oklahoma magazine.

• 100 percent of the profit benefits the Cherokee Nation.

• CNE has contributed more than $57.6 million, nearly $19 million in 2008 alone, to the state of Oklahoma for public education and horse racing industry as a part of the 2004 gaming compact.